Singapore ratified the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Convention, C187, on 11 June 2012 at the International Labour Conference in Geneva.

It was a tripartite effort of the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF).

NTUC Workplace Safety and Health Secretariat Director Yeo Guat Kwang said the Labour Movement’s WSH vision is `Every worker is to go home safe and sound at the end of every workday!’ and Singapore is proud that all the social tripartite partners are committed to ensuring safe and healthy workplaces for all employees.

“Together, we have invested much effort over the years to improve our WSH outcomes through coherent national policies, sound systems, and active promotion.

The evident support of the tripartite partners for this effort is seen by the representation of NTUC and SNEF together with the Government in ratifying the instrument,” he said.

Some major efforts in the last three years include forming various tripartite task forces such as WSH for the Cleaning and Custodial Services and the Lightning Safety for Airport workers.

In addition, NTUC also rolled out WSH Risk Management workshops targeted at workers and union members to help them understand their roles and importance of their involvement in risk management at the workplace.

NTUC is also sponsoring eligible union leaders to take up the WSQ WSH Professional training, which would equip them with capability to better serve as WSH champions at their respective workplaces.

Mr Yeo added: “NTUC remains committed to the requirements of this Convention through working with its tripartite partners to facilitate and build good Health and Safety Management System (HSMS) in all unionised workplaces.

“The Labour Movement is now collaborating with the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Council in a plan to provide affordable professional assistance to all unionised companies, especially to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to develop and implement HSMS at their workplaces, to be rolled out in the next few months.”